Best non-tacky resin??

The video below shows how fast my resin cures. The video was made by a fly tier who bought a resin kit from me at the 2014 Badger Fly Fishers Spring Opener Conclave in Madison, Wisconsin. I was tying Harrison Steeves TransparAnts and the video show how he ties one.

The reason I post the video it that it shows how fast my resin cures. You will notice at about 4:25 into the video, that the resin cures so fast with the high power flashlight that it smokes. The fast cure also limits the possibility of any oxygen inhibition and a tacky surface.

My resin is designed to cure VERY fast so it saves time for the fly tier. But that wisp of smoke is overheating and can discolor the resin. Overheating depends on how thick the resin layer is and how close the light is to the resin.

If you are using the high power light and it smokes, back off initially so you have a less intense beam. The resin may smoke when you keep a UV laser on one spot too long. With the laser, turn the laser on away from the fly and then "paint" the resin by moving the laser over the resin surface to prevent overheating.

I opted for a fast cure and the fly tier can control the rate of cure depending on thick the resin coat is and how close the light is to the resin. It doesn't take much time to learn how to get the fastest cure possible without over heating the resin. If I can save you 20 seconds a fly on resin cure, that means more flies tied per hour.

Kudos to Silvercreek! Just got my bottle of UV Crystal Coat and it is "as advertised". It dries completely tack free and hard in seconds. No need to hit your fly with nail polish as the finish is crystal clear (no pun intended). At $15 dollars, it also beats what you will pay for CCG, Loon, et al.

I currently use two types of UV resin when tying flies. UV activated wader resin and clear goo. I like using them both in small amounts on my shell backs and when tying SRC pattern for the sound. But I always find that both even after curing are a little tacky... Does anyone have any suggestions on a resin that cures HARD with out being tacky? I am only asking cause I would like to tie some nymphs with a shelled back and soft hackle legs without them getting stuck to the resin..

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James,

Your resin is on the way. Thanks for giving my resin a vote of confidence and I hope you will let us know how it performs for you.

I will definitely be placing an order with Silvercreek as soon as funds dictate. Ira let me sample his during a clouser tying session at my house last week. I was VERY impressed with the cure time and complete lack of tackiness. Great stuff! I also find the bottle with brush way easier to use than the ccg syringes I have

I've always used Loctite to coat my chironomids. However, Silvercreek's Crystal UV resin and hi-power light is the real deal. It cures in about 5 seconds. And it cures faster than Loctite. Great stuff! Thanks for the prompt shipment Henry.

+1 for Silvercreek's Crystal UV, great stuff, dries fast and hard nearly like glass! I still keep the Loon stuff around because it's thicker (goopy-er) and if I need that I have it too. Here's a fly tied with the Chrystal UV from Henry.